Use of mixtures of active substances for the production of hypocholesterolemic agents

Abstract

A hypocholesterolemic composition, for use in reducing serum cholesterol levels in warm-blooded organisms, the composition containing: (a) a phytostanol ester and (b) a tocopherol.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A hypocholesterolemic composition comprising: 
       (a) a phytostanol ester and  
       (b) a tocopherol.  
     
     
       2. The composition of  claim 1  wherein the phytostanol ester is a β-sitostanol ester. 
     
     
       3. The composition of  claim 2  wherein the β-sitostanol ester is formed using a carboxylic acid corresponding to formula (I): 
       
         
           R 1 CO—OH  (I)  
         
       
       wherein R 1 CO is an aliphatic, linear or branched alkyl group having from 2 to 22 carbon atoms, and up to 3 double bonds. 
     
     
       4. The composition of  claim 3  wherein in formula (I), wherein R 1 CO is an aliphatic, linear or branched alkyl group having from 12 to 18 carbon atoms, and up to 3 double bonds. 
     
     
       5. The composition of  claim 1  wherein the tocopherol is α-tocopherol. 
     
     
       6. The composition of  claim 1  further comprising a potentiating agent selected from the group consisting of a chitosan, a phytosterol sulfate, a (deoxy)ribonucleic acid, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       7. The composition of  claim 6  wherein the potentiating agent is present in the composition in an amount of from 1 to 10% by weight, based upon the weight of the composition. 
     
     
       8. The composition of  claim 1  wherein (a) and (b) are present in a ratio by weight of from 60:40 to 40:60. 
     
     
       9. The composition of  claim 1  wherein the hypocholesterolemic composition is contained in a gelatine capsule. 
     
     
       10. The composition of  claim 9  wherein the hypocholesterolemic composition is present in the gelatine capsule in an amount of from 0.1 to 50% by weight, based on the weight of the gelatine capsule. 
     
     
       11. A process for reducing serum cholesterol levels in warm-blooded organisms comprising administering an effective amount of a hypocholesterolemic composition to the warm-blooded organism, the hypocholesterolemic composition containing: 
       (a) a phytostanol ester and  
       (b) a tocopherol.  
     
     
       12. The process of  claim 11  wherein the phytostanol ester is a β-sitostanol ester. 
     
     
       13. The process of  claim 12  wherein the β-sitostanol ester is formed using a carboxylic acid corresponding to formula (I): 
       
         
           R 1 CO—OH  (I)  
         
       
       wherein R 1 CO is an aliphatic, linear or branched alkyl group having from 2 to 22 carbon atoms, and up to 3 double bonds. 
     
     
       14. The process of  claim 13  wherein in formula (I), wherein R 1 CO is an aliphatic, linear or branched alkyl group having from 12 to 18 carbon atoms, and up to 3 double bonds. 
     
     
       15. The process of  claim 11  wherein the tocopherol is α-tocopherol. 
     
     
       16. The process of  claim 11  wherein the composition further contains a potentiating agent selected from the group consisting of a chitosan, a phytosterol sulfate, a (deoxy)ribonucleic acid, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       17. The process of  claim 16  wherein the potentiating agent is present in the composition in an amount of from 1 to 10% by weight, based upon the weight of the composition. 
     
     
       18. The process of  claim 11  wherein (a) and (b) are present in the composition in a ratio by weight of from 60:40 to 40:60. 
     
     
       19. The process of  claim 11  wherein the hypocholesterolemic composition is administered orally, rectally or vaginally. 
     
     
       20. The process of  claim 11  wherein the hypocholesterolemic composition is administered orally in a gelatine capsule containing from 0.1 to 50% by weight of the hypocholesterolemic composition, based on the weight of the gelatine capsule.